How Dare You Send Me A Book On Addiction! Do You Think I Have A Problem?

Lawyer well-being is becoming a mainstream priority, and Brian Cuban wants to help break the stigma of addiction.

When I wrote The Addicted Lawyer (affiliate link), I made the decision that getting the message out to as much of the legal profession and law school community about addiction and steps we can take to break the stigma was more important than whatever percentage I made from each book sold (and it’s not much).

I realized that penetration through that stigma would also take more than wishful thinking. Nudging an ongoing discussion on a topic that most people would rather talk about tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and then it’s the next day.

Addiction is simply not a comfortable conversation, not only in the legal profession, but across the country. In a profession, however, that deals with problem drinking at rates over 30 percent for certain demographics and depression and anxiety in similar numbers, it’s a mandatory conversation.  It requires blunt talk.  Outside the box strategies.

I therefore made the decision to, at my personal expense, send complimentary copies of my book to the managing partners at the top 50-100 law firms in Dallas, Miami, and Pittsburgh as well as every bar association, law school, and Lawyer Assistance Program in the country.

Why did I choose those cities?  I live in Dallas and am engaged with the local legal community. Two of the contributors to my book, Brian Tannebaum and Michael Cohen, are from South Florida and very active dealing with these issues in their legal community. I grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Pitt Law.  Needless to say, it was not an inexpensive strategy but it was worth it to me, if even only a few who received it read the book, or passed it on to someone else, or simply started thinking about the problem. Starting a conversation, not necessarily with me, but with literally anyone in that person’s professional or personal circles.

I also sent a letter two weeks in advance to each managing partner who would receive the book, explaining why I was sending it to them.  I understood that someone getting an unsolicited, random book on addiction from a random person might be unsettling and viewed as an accusation of substance use issues or simply sent back to Amazon as a mistake. The first part defines stigma. I also emailed each association and law school to be sure they received the book.

What I found in terms of response has been very interesting.  Bar associations, for the most part, are very engaged on the topic.  Of course Lawyer Assistance Programs get it. That is what they do. Law schools are certainly interested in the topic.  There was no negative response.

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I then began following up with the managing partners who received a book. As I expected, despite my effort to alleviate stigma with a letter, there were several responses in the tone of, “How dare you send me this book! Are you accusing me of having an issue?”

That, my friends, is the stigma of addiction in the legal profession and in this country. It is not information. It is an “accusation.” It is shameful.

We are making progress but have a long way to go.  I was, therefore, very happy to see the ABA release its Task Force Report (PDF) on Wellness in the Legal Profession.  While I am concerned that the report covers so many areas that it may be difficult to engage the profession with it, I am confident in those who put it together will do all they can to make that happen. I will do all I can to help. I reached out to one of the authors, Patrick Krill. Here is what he had to say about the report:

This report marks an historic turning point for lawyer and law student well-being. The tide is finally, and officially, beginning to turn.

Lawyer well-being is becoming a mainstream priority.

This report is a road map, and now it is up to leaders in the profession to follow it.

There are compelling financial, ethical, and moral reasons to reduce the amount of addiction and mental health problems, and to promote greater well-being (i.e., good for business, good for clients, the right thing to do).

As the report makes clear, there is literally something for everyone to do. Our addiction, mental health, and well-being problems are systemic in nature; they’ll only be overcome through a systemic response.

The key here is “systemic response.” That has to be more than news cycle interest when a New York Times article comes out. When some random dude sends you a free book now lining your parrot cage, cat litter box, or for sale on eBay.  It takes all of us in the profession to keep the conversation going every day. What will do you today to push it forward?  Maybe start by reading the task force report? Yes, your time is valuable. So is breaking the stigma of addiction. Give it a read.

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Brian Cuban (@bcuban) is The Addicted Lawyer. Brian is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, The Addicted Lawyer: Tales Of The Bar, Booze, Blow & Redemption (affiliate link). A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he somehow made it through as an alcoholic then added cocaine to his résumé as a practicing attorney. He went into recovery April 8, 2007. He left the practice of law and now writes and speaks on recovery topics, not only for the legal profession, but on recovery in general. He can be reached at brian@addictedlawyer.com.